Asset forfeiture by drug dealers caught and prosecuted in Pope County really helps pay the high price of fighting drug-related crime.

The 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF), in cooperation with area law enforcement agencies, took possession of over $551,000 in cash last year and collected $101,091 from seized vehicle through auctions.

The DTF spent $344,247 for overtime, training and equipment during 2011 and 2012, according to its records. Equipment purchases can include such items as tactical vests, weapons and vehicles.

In addition, office supplies and office equipment are also procured with revenue from the seized goods. The buy money used for making undercover drug busts comes from this part of the budget as well.

“We are not feeding off the drug dealers,” DTF coordinator Larry Johnson said. “We are taking every effort to combat the drug problem in our area.”

The state drug crime lab receives $118,556 from the DTF operating fund, with another $34,948 going to the state drug director for resources such as drug treatment programs and drug court.

Those who take the risk of peddling drugs within the district aren’t only risking time in jail. They also lose valuable property during the law enforcement seizure process.

“We are not in it for the money, we are in it to stop drug trafficking,” said David Gibbons, 5th Judicial District prosecuting attorney. “The DTF is separate in the financial sense. We don’t ask local government for any monetary aid.”

Gibbons said 75 percent of initial operating monies come from a federal grant. The state administers the DTF program and provides 25 percent of the funding.

The DTF is a cooperative effort, Gibbons said. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) seized nearly $516,000 in cash and $69,511 in vehicles during the 2011-12 fiscal year and collected $153,286 as its percentage of the proceeds. The ASP uses this money to fund the required resources for fighting all aspects of drug crime, Gibbons said.

“The Russellville Police Department and other local police departments designate officers to work with the DTF,” Gibbons said. “The DTF also works closely with deputies from the Pope County Sheriff’s Office. We make all efforts to follow the law.”

Vehicles are checked thoroughly for any drug-related items prior to auction. Gibbons said the DTF checks guns for modifications and serial numbers and reports any irregularities to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Any that do not pass inspection are destroyed, he said.

“The DTF auctions 80 to 100 weapons a year and executes background checks on everyone the day of purchase,” Gibbons said. “The 5th District contracts with a separate attorney who handles forfeitures for the DTF. Therefore the process is not part of the prosecution team’s responsibility. This is a big part of maintaining legal obligations.

“Doing this means there is no temptation to use seized property for plea bargaining. All of these measures go a long way toward avoiding inappropriate dealmaking.”